Editing Kennesaw, Georgia

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
|official_name            = City of Kennesaw
|name                     = Kennesaw
|native_name              = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname                 = 
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
|image_skyline            = KennesawCityHall.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Kennesaw City Hall
|image_flag               = Flag of Kennesaw, Georgia.png
|flag_size                = 
|image_seal               = Seal of Kennesaw, Georgia.png
|seal_size                = 
|image_shield             = 
|shield_size              = 
|image_blank_emblem       = Logo of Kennesaw, Georgia.png
|blank_emblem_type        = Logo
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|image_map                = {{maplink
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  | zoom = SWITCH:10;9;6;3
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  | switch = Kennesaw;Cobb County;Georgia;the United States}}
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|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Georgia (U.S. state)|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb]]
|subdivision_type3        = 
|subdivision_name3        = 
|subdivision_type4        = 
|subdivision_name4        = <!-- Politics ----------------->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Derek Easterling (R)
|leader_title1            = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager -->
|leader_name1             = 
|leader_title2            = 
|leader_name2             = 
|leader_title3            = 
|leader_name3             = 
|leader_title4            = 
|leader_name4             = 
|established_title        = Incorporated
|established_date         = September 21, 1887
|established_title2       = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
|established_date2        = 
|established_title3       = <!-- Incorporated (city) -->
|established_date3        = <!-- Area    --------------------->
|area_magnitude           = 
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_13.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 18, 2021}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 25.43
|area_land_km2            = 25.16
|area_water_km2           = 0.26
|area_total_sq_mi         = 9.82
|area_land_sq_mi          = 9.71
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.10
|area_water_percent       = 
|area_urban_km2           = 
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|area_metro_sq_mi         = 
|area_blank1_title        = 
|area_blank1_km2          = 
|area_blank1_sq_mi        = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_note          = 
|population_total         = 33036
|population_density_km2   = 1312.88
|population_density_sq_mi = 3400.51
|population_density_metro_km2     = 
|population_density_metro_sq_mi   = 
|population_urban                 = 
|population_density_urban_km2     = 
|population_density_urban_sq_mi   = 
|population_blank1_title          = 
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|population_density_blank1_km2    = 
|population_density_blank1_sq_mi  = <!-- General information  --------------->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|1|24|N|84|36|55|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use 1 tags-->
|elevation_m              = 332
|elevation_ft             = 1089
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
|postal_code_type         = ZIP code
|postal_code              = 30144/30152
|area_code                = {{cslist|[[Area code 770|770]]|[[Area codes 678, 470, and 943|678, 470, and 943]]}}
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 13-43192<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227012639/http://www.census.gov/|archive-date=1996-12-27|url-status=live}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0316387<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212191832/http://geonames.usgs.gov/|archive-date=2012-02-12|url-status=live}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.kennesaw-ga.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
<!-- Infobox ends -->
'''Kennesaw''' is a suburban city northwest of [[Atlanta]] in [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States, located within the greater [[Atlanta metropolitan area]]. Known from its original settlement in the 1830s until 1887 as '''Big Shanty''', it became Kennesaw under its 1887 charter. According to the 2020 census, Kennesaw had a population of 33,036, a 10.9% increase in population over the preceding decade.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US1343192&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> Kennesaw has an important place in railroad history. During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Kennesaw was the staging ground for the [[Great Locomotive Chase]] on April 12, 1862. Kennesaw is home to [[Kennesaw State University]], an R2 research institution and the third-largest public university in the state of Georgia.

==Etymology==
The name "Kennesaw" is derived from the [[Cherokee language|Cherokee]] word ''gah-nee-sah'', meaning 'cemetery' or 'burial ground'.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/facbooks2014/24/|title=Digital Commons Kennesaw|journal=2014 Faculty Bookshelf|publisher=KSU.edu|date=2014|access-date=2015-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208102251/http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/facbooks2014/24/|archive-date=2015-02-08|url-status=live|last1=Martin|first1=Christopher|last2=King|first2=David}}</ref>

==History==
As the [[Western and Atlantic Railroad]] was being built in the late 1830s, [[shanty town]]s arose to house the workers. These were near a big spring. A grade up from the [[Etowah River]] became known as "the big grade to the shanties", then "Big Shanty Grade", and finally "Big Shanty". It was officially incorporated as the city of Kennsaw in 1887.<ref>{{Cite news | title=How Big Shanty Got Its Name | newspaper=Trade Day News | location=Kennesaw, Georgia | page= 9 | date=April 23–24, 1977 }}</ref>

===Civil War===
Camp MacDonald, a [[training camp]], was located there from 1861 to 1863.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/ga-north.html#shanty|title=Georgia Forts: page 7|website=www.northamericanforts.com|access-date=2013-01-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129163700/http://www.northamericanforts.com/East/ga-north.html#shanty|archive-date=2012-11-29|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Big Shanty was the site of major fighting in the [[Battle of Kennesaw Mountain]], part of the larger [[Atlanta Campaign]]. [[Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/kemo |title=Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park |publisher=Nps.gov |access-date=2012-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013162433/http://www.nps.gov/kemo/ |archive-date=2010-10-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> located southeast of the city limits, now contains many of these historic areas. Much of the surrounding land has been [[Land development|developed]], and many of the buried [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]] have been searched for and taken by people with [[metal detector]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kennesaw|first1=Mailing Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr|last2=Us|first2=GA 30152 Phone: 770-427-4686 x0 Contact|title=Relic Hunting and Metal Detecting - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/kemo/planyourvisit/relic-hunting.htm|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.nps.gov|language=en}}</ref> Some artifacts of the Civil War are still on display in the visitor center of Kennesaw Mountain.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Kennesaw|first1=Mailing Address: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Dr|last2=Us|first2=GA 30152 Phone: 770-427-4686 x0 Contact|title=Basic Information - Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/kemo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.nps.gov|language=en}}</ref>

=== Later history ===
L.C. Chalker purchased a {{convert|1.25|acre|adj=on}} tract of land adjacent to the Kennesaw Cemetery from J.W. Ellis in 1934, which was sold for burial purposes. Chalker purchased another {{convert|1|acre}} adjacent to the first parcel in 1948, which was also to be used for a cemetery. The Chalker family managed these portions of the cemetery until they were sold to the City of Kennesaw in the mid-1950s. The earliest known burial is the infant Lucius B. Summers, who was interred in 1863. Other [[Headstone|grave markers]] date as far back as the 1860s to the 1890s. Civil War veterans are buried here. The Kennesaw Cemetery is still in use.<ref>{{Citation|last=Zavattaro|first=Staci M.|title=Cemetery Potpourri|date=2020-06-01|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780429285967-7|work=City Sextons|pages=78–92|location=New York|publisher=Routledge|doi=10.4324/9780429285967-7|isbn=978-0-429-28596-7|s2cid=242425155|access-date=2020-10-29}}</ref>

In March 2004, First Lady [[Laura Bush]] designated Kennesaw a [[Preserve America Community]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preserveamerica.gov |title=Preserve America – Explore and Enjoy Our Heritage |publisher=Preserveamerica.gov |date=2012-07-03 |access-date=2012-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714113603/http://www.preserveamerica.gov/ |archive-date=2012-07-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
Kennesaw is located in northwestern Cobb County, bordered by the city of [[Acworth, Georgia|Acworth]] to the northwest. [[Kennesaw Mountain]] is located southeast of the city limits in the battlefield park. Its [[summit]] is the highest point in the [[Atlanta metro area]], at an elevation of {{convert|1808|ft}} [[above sea level]]. The city was renamed for the mountain.

[[U.S. Route 41 in Georgia|U.S. Route 41]] and [[State Route 3 (Georgia)|State Route 3]] pass through the city as Cobb Parkway, leading southeast {{convert|7|mi|0}} to [[Marietta, Georgia|Marietta]] and northwest {{convert|17|mi}} to [[Cartersville, Georgia|Cartersville]]. [[Interstate 75]] passes just northeast of the city limits, with access from exits 269, 271, and 273. Via I-75, downtown [[Atlanta]] is {{convert|27|mi}} to the southeast, and [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]], [[Tennessee]], is {{convert|94|mi}} northwest.

The iconic peaks of Kennesaw Mountain are visible from the bridge over Interstate 75 that crosses over the city limits of Kennesaw.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bridge over I-75 - News {{!}} KSU|url=https://news.kennesaw.edu/stories/2016/Bridge-over-I-75.php|access-date=2020-10-29|website=news.kennesaw.edu}}</ref>
 
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Kennesaw has a total area of {{convert|24.7|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|24.4|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.08%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web|title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Kennesaw city, Georgia|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1343192|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212175717/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US1343192|archive-date=February 12, 2020|access-date=July 29, 2014|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder}}</ref>

===Climate===
Kennesaw has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: ''Cfa''). On [[Tornado outbreak of November 21–23, 1992|November 22, 1992]], an F-4 tornado caused 34 injuries.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

{{Weather box|location= Kennesaw, Georgia
|single line = Y 
|Jan record high F =  80
|Feb record high F =  81
|Mar record high F =  89
|Apr record high F =  93
|May record high F =  96
|Jun record high F = 101
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F =  99
|Oct record high F =  92
|Nov record high F =  86
|Dec record high F =  80
|year record high F =104
|Jan high F = 52
|Feb high F = 56
|Mar high F = 64
|Apr high F = 73
|May high F = 80
|Jun high F = 87
|Jul high F = 89
|Aug high F = 88
|Sep high F = 83
|Oct high F = 73
|Nov high F = 64
|Dec high F = 54
|year high F =
|Jan low F = 30
|Feb low F = 33
|Mar low F = 39
|Apr low F = 46
|May low F = 55
|Jun low F = 64
|Jul low F = 68
|Aug low F = 67
|Sep low F = 60
|Oct low F = 48
|Nov low F = 39
|Dec low F = 32
|year low F =
|Jan record low F = −12
|Feb record low F =  −2
|Mar record low F =   7
|Apr record low F =  21
|May record low F =  32
|Jun record low F =  40
|Jul record low F =  50
|Aug record low F =  48
|Sep record low F =  30
|Oct record low F =  22
|Nov record low F =   9
|Dec record low F =  −4
|year record low F= −12
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.86
|Feb precipitation inch = 5.36
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.07
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.93
|May precipitation inch = 4.12
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.07
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.10
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.35
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.10
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.42
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.30
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.49
|year precipitation inch=54.63
|source 1 = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/30152|title=Monthly Averages for Kennesaw, GA (30152)|access-date=2012-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503101302/http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/30152|archive-date=2014-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
|date=May 2012
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 244
|1890= 168
|1900= 320
|1910= 573
|1920= 467
|1930= 426
|1940= 436
|1950= 564
|1960= 1507
|1970= 3548
|1980= 5095
|1990= 8936
|2000= 21675
|2010= 29783
|2020= 33036
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1850-1870<ref name=1870CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1870 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1870|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1870/population/1870a-13.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1870-1880<ref name=1880CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1880 Census of Population - Georgia - Population of Civil Divisions less than Counties |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1880|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1880/vol-01-population/1880_v1-09.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref><br> 1890-1910<ref name=1910CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1910 Census of Population - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1910|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-ga.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|page=}}</ref> 1920-1930<ref name=1930CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1930 Census of Population - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1930|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/03815512v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=|pages=251–256}}</ref><br> 1940<ref name=1940CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1940 Census of Population - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1940|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch04.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1950<ref name=1950CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1950 Census of Population - Georgia |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1950|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-2/37779083v2p11ch2.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1960 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1960|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/vol-01-12-c.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 1970<ref name=1970CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1970 Census of Population - Population of County Subdivisions - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1970|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1970a_ga-01.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1980<ref name=1980CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1980|url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_gaABC-01.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 1990 Census of Population - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Georgia |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 1990|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-5/cph-5-12.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref><br> 2000<ref name=2000CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 2000 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 2000|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-12.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> 2010<ref name=2010CensusGA>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink=   |title= 2010 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Georgia  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date= 2010|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-12.pdf|accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Kennesaw racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1343192&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-13|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|17,102
|51.77%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|7,848
|23.76%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|67
|0.2%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|1,626
|4.92%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|17
|0.05%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|2,119
|6.41%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|4,257
|12.89%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 33,036 people, 12,803 households, and 8,250 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 29,783 people, 11,413 households, and 7,375 families residing in the city. There were 12,328 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,027.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 58.9% White, 22.3% Black, 10.8% [[Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race, 5.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander]] (U.S. Census), 4.7% of other races, and 3.0% non-Hispanic mixed of two or more races.

There were 11,413 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.0% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

==Economy==
===Personal income===
The median income for a household in the city was $61,355 and the median income for a family was $75,465. Males had a median income of $46,953, versus $42,809 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $27,165.  About 8.2% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.1% of those under age 18 and 13.3%  of those age 65 or over.

===Tourism===
Several festivals are held annually. Every April the annual Big Shanty Festival displays over 200 arts and crafts booths along with 20 food booths downtown featuring several local businesses and entrepreneurs. Over 60,000 people from around North Georgia attend the festival. The festival begins with a parade through downtown.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Big Shanty Festival {{!}} Kennesaw.com|url=http://www.kennesaw.com/big-shanty-festival/|access-date=2020-10-31|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Government==
The [[city hall]]<ref>({{Coord|34.0233|-84.6167|name=Kennesaw City Hall}})</ref> is located downtown, just off Main Street (old [[U.S. Route 41 in Georgia|U.S. 41]] and [[State Route 3 (Georgia)|State Route 3]], later [[State Route 293 (Georgia)|State Route 293]]). It contains the offices of [[mayor]] and [[city council]], a basement jail, a municipal [[9-1-1]] call center and other offices. It is the [[public-safety answering point]] for the city of Kennesaw and the neighboring city of [[Acworth, Georgia|Acworth]], and [[dispatch (logistics)|dispatches]] the separate [[police department]]s of both cities. Calls for fire services are relayed to and dispatched from Cobb County's 911 center,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://911.cobbcountyga.gov |title=911 Home Page |publisher=911.cobbcountyga.gov |access-date=2012-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411051054/http://911.cobbcountyga.gov/ |archive-date=2012-04-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> and serviced by the Cobb County Fire Department, as neither city has its own [[fire department]].

===Wireless Internet in city parks===
In 2008, the city of Kennesaw awarded a bid to [[Digitel Wireless]] for the implementation of city [[wireless Internet]]. In March 2008, the city of Kennesaw announced the grand opening of four new wireless areas: Swift-Cantrell Park and Adams Park, and the train depot area across from the [[Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History]]. The city has also provided [[Wi-Fi]] in the Ben Robertson Community Center.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kennesawwifi.net |title=Kennesaw Wi-Fi |publisher=Kennesaw Wi-Fi |access-date=2012-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809064455/http://www.kennesawwifi.net/ |archive-date=2012-08-09 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Crime statistics===
In 2001, [[violent crime]] rates were about 60% below national and state rates. Property crime rates were from 46 to 56% below national and state rates. From 1999 to 2011, Kennesaw crime statistics reported that both property and violent crimes had decreased, though from 2003 to 2008 the trend in both violent and property crime rates slightly increased.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/georgia/kennesaw.html | title=Kennesaw Crime Rate Report (Georgia) | access-date=2013-04-02 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126035608/http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/georgia/kennesaw.html | archive-date=2013-01-26 | url-status=live }}</ref> The increase in crime rate overall is attributed to the population growth rate of 37.41%. The population growth rate is much higher than the state average rate of 18.34% and is much higher than the national average rate of 9.71%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usa.com/kennesaw-ga-population-and-races.htm |title=Kennesaw Population and Races (Georgia) |access-date=2014-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303045007/http://www.usa.com/kennesaw-ga-population-and-races.htm |archive-date=2014-03-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===County services===
The [[Cobb County Public Library System]] operates a Kennesaw branch library. The Cobb County Police Department serves unincorporated areas, including the [[Town Center Area Community Improvement District]] and [[Kennesaw State University]] (in addition to KSU's own police).

==Gun law==
Kennesaw is noted for its unique [[Gun law in the United States|firearms legislation]], passed in response to [[Morton Grove, Illinois#Handgun ban|a handgun ban]] in [[Morton Grove, Illinois]]. In 1982 the city passed an ordinance ''[Sec 34-21]'':<ref>{{cite web |title=Sec. 34-21. - Heads of households to maintain firearms. |url=http://library.municode.com/HTML/12813/level3/PTIICOOR_CH34CIEM_ARTIIFI.html#PTIICOOR_CH34CIEM_ARTIIFI_S34-21HEHOMAFI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829212500/http://library.municode.com/HTML/12813/level3/PTIICOOR_CH34CIEM_ARTIIFI.html#PTIICOOR_CH34CIEM_ARTIIFI_S34-21HEHOMAFI |archive-date=2013-08-29 |access-date=2013-02-06 |website=library.municode.com |publisher=Municode Library}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|(a) In order to provide for the emergency management of the city, and further in order to provide for and protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants, every head of household residing in the city limits is required to maintain a firearm, together with ammunition therefore.

(b) Exempt from the effect of this section are those heads of households who suffer a physical or mental disability which would prohibit them from using such a firearm. Further exempt from the effect of this section are those heads of households who are [[paupers]] or who conscientiously oppose maintaining firearms as a result of beliefs or religious doctrine, or persons convicted of a felony.}}

[[File:K-Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.jpg|250px|thumb|Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History]]

A similar law was passed in 2000 in the city of [[Virgin, Utah]], making it the second city in the United States to require residents to own guns.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=5 November 2000 |title=Town in Utah Requires Owning Guns |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95092&page=1 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=ABC News}}</ref> [[Nelson, Georgia]]; [[Nucla, Colorado]];  and [[Gun Barrel City, Texas]], also followed suit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Finefrock |first=Amelia |date=20 December 2018 |title=5 American Cities That Require You To Own A Gun |url=https://braincharm.com/2018/12/20/5-american-cities-that-require-you-to-own-a-gun/ |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=BrainCharm |language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130102523/https://braincharm.com/2018/12/20/5-american-cities-that-require-you-to-own-a-gun/|archive-date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>

==Local attractions==
* [[Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History]]
* [[Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park]] consists of around {{convert|18|mi}} of nature trails and historic Civil War battle sites.<ref name="Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield and Lake Allatoona">{{cite news| title=USA Today Travel| newspaper=Travel Tips - USA Today| url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/attractions-kennesaw-georgia-31981.html| access-date=2012-07-11| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304071137/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/attractions-kennesaw-georgia-31981.html| archive-date=2013-03-04| url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Kennesaw State University Bentley Rare Book Room and Archives<ref>{{cite web |url=https://web.kennesaw.edu/archives/about-gallery |title=About the Gallery &#124; Archives, Rare Books & Records Management |publisher=Web.kennesaw.edu |access-date=2012-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722150826/https://web.kennesaw.edu/archives/about-gallery |archive-date=2012-07-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Education==
[[State school|Public schools]] are operated by the [[Cobb County School District]].

Elementary schools include Big Shanty Intermediate.,<ref>{{cite web|title=Big Shanty Intermediate School|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/BigShanty/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818052438/http://www.cobbk12.org/BigShanty/|archive-date=2015-08-18|access-date=2015-08-14|website=www.cobbk12.org}}</ref> Bullard,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/Bullard/|title=Bullard Elementary School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811021728/http://www.cobbk12.org/bullard/|archive-date=2015-08-11|url-status=live}}</ref> Chalker,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/Chalker/|title=Chalker Elementary School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150828044951/http://www.cobbk12.org/chalker/|archive-date=2015-08-28|url-status=live}}</ref> Hayes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/Hayes/|title=Hayes Elementary School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823022907/http://www.cobbk12.org/Hayes/|archive-date=2015-08-23|url-status=live}}</ref> Kennesaw,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/Kennesaw/|title=Kennesaw Elementary School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815021704/http://www.cobbk12.org/kennesaw/|archive-date=2015-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref> and Lewis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/Lewis/|title=Lewis Elementary School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822175154/http://www.cobbk12.org/Lewis/|archive-date=2015-08-22|url-status=live}}</ref>

Middle schools include Awtrey,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awtreyvikings.com/|title=Awtrey Middle School|website=awtreyvikings.com|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812013135/http://awtreyvikings.com/|archive-date=2015-08-12|url-status=live}}</ref> Lost Mountain,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/LostMountain/|title=Lost Mountain Middle School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813160053/http://www.cobbk12.org/lostmountain/|archive-date=2015-08-13|url-status=live}}</ref> McClure,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/McClure/|title=McClure Middle School- Home of the Mavericks|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810123441/http://www.cobbk12.org/mcclure/|archive-date=2015-08-10|url-status=live}}</ref> Palmer,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/Palmer/|title=Palmer Middle School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822081005/http://www.cobbk12.org/palmer/|archive-date=2015-08-22|url-status=live}}</ref> and Pine Mountain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/PineMountain/|title=Pine Mountain Middle School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809130145/http://www.cobbk12.org/PineMountain/|archive-date=2015-08-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

High schools include [[Harrison High School (Georgia)|Harrison High School]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harrisonhigh.org|title=Home - Harrison High School|website=www.harrisonhigh.org|access-date=2020-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215050837/http://www.harrisonhigh.org/|archive-date=2020-02-15|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kennesaw Mountain High School|Kennesaw Mountain]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/KennesawMountain/|title=Kennesaw Mountain High School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818052634/http://www.cobbk12.org/KennesawMountain/|archive-date=2015-08-18|url-status=live}}</ref> [[North Cobb High School|North Cobb]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cobbk12.org/NorthCobb/|title=North Cobb High School|website=www.cobbk12.org|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809125941/http://www.cobbk12.org/northcobb/|archive-date=2015-08-09|url-status=live}}</ref> and Kennesaw Charter Science & Math Academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kennesawcharter.com/|title=.: Kennesaw Charter|website=kennesawcharter.com|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811025447/http://kennesawcharter.com/|archive-date=2015-08-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

Private schools include Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunbrookacademy.com/legacy-park-kennesaw-ga/|title=Daycare in Kennesaw, Georgia - Sunbrook Academy at Legacy Park|access-date=2015-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111614/http://www.sunbrookacademy.com/legacy-park-kennesaw-ga/|archive-date=2015-09-24|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunbrook Academy at Stilesboro, and [[Mount Paran Christian School]].

[[Kennesaw State University]] is located within the city and is part of the [[University System of Georgia]].

==Sports==
In [[2016 Major League Lacrosse season|2016]], the [[Atlanta Blaze]] of [[Major League Lacrosse]] spent their first year of play as an expansion franchise with home games at [[Fifth Third Bank Stadium]] on the campus of Kennesaw State University.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/press-release/12300/major-league-lacrosse-announces-newest-expansion-team-atlanta-blaze|title=Major League Lacrosse|website=www.majorleaguelacrosse.com|access-date=2018-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135520/https://www.majorleaguelacrosse.com/press-release/12300/major-league-lacrosse-announces-newest-expansion-team-atlanta-blaze|archive-date=2018-03-10|url-status=live}}</ref> The team relocated in 2019.

==Notable people==
<!---needs citation to tie notable person to Kennesaw per [[WP:NLIST]] and [[WP:LISTPEOPLE]]. note that blue link is insufficient in itself--->
* [[Darvin Adams]], [[Canadian football]] player<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Most Memorable Game - Darvin Adams |url=https://www.bluebombers.com/2021/03/01/memorable-game-darvin-adams/ |website=[[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] |date=March 1, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Caroline Cossey]], English model <ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-11-03|title=How This Transgender Supermodel Found Love|url=http://www.advocate.com/current-issue/2016/11/03/how-transgender-supermodel-found-love|access-date=2020-10-31|website=www.advocate.com|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Jesse James Dupree]], lead singer of rock band [[Jackyl]]<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p186307/biography|pure_url=yes}} Jesse James Dupree] at [[AllMusic]]</ref>
* [[Yan Kaminsky]], [[National Hockey League|NHL]] left [[Winger (ice hockey)|winger]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thunderaaahockey.com/news.php?news_id=342569|title=Error|website=thunderaaahockey.com|access-date=2013-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103213243/http://thunderaaahockey.com/news.php?news_id=342569|archive-date=2013-11-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ron Lester]], actor<ref>{{cite web|title=Ron Lester|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0504516/|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805004503/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0504516/|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Justin Fields]], [[National Football League]] quarterback playing for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steelers acquire Fields in trade with Bears |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-acquire-fields-in-trade-with-bears |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=www.steelers.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Payne Lindsey]], documentary filmmaker and podcast host of ''[[Up and Vanished]]'' and ''[[Atlanta Monster]]''{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
*[[Scott F. McAfee]], judge on the Fulton County Superior Court and Georgia Inspector General from 2021 to 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizelle |first=Shawna |date=2023-08-15 |title=Who is Scott McAfee, the judge assigned to oversee Trump case in Georgia? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/15/politics/scott-mcafee-trump-judge-georgia-rico-case/index.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Sean O'Pry]], [[Model (person)|model]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://models.com/models/sean-O|title=Sean O'Pry - Model|access-date=2013-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603065840/http://models.com/models/sean-O|archive-date=2013-06-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Mathew Pitsch]], member of the [[Arkansas House of Representatives]] from [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]] from 2015 to 2019; former resident of Kennesaw<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1&formname=name&qf=Mathew&qmi=&qn=Pitsch&qcs=Fort+Smith%2C+Arkansas&focusfirst=1|title=Mathew W. Pitsch|publisher=intelius.com|access-date=April 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408224026/http://www.intelius.com/results.php?ReportType=1|archive-date=April 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* [[Dansby Swanson]], infielder for the [[Chicago Cubs]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dansby Swanson Stats, Highlights, Bio {{!}} Gwinnett Stripers Stats|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?sid=t431&player_id=621020|access-date=2020-10-31|website=Gwinnett Stripers|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Lucas Till]], actor<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mdjonline.com/news/macgyver-reboot-films-at-austell-restaurant/article_87a9805e-dd25-11e6-bfa4-e31fa5e38b1d.html|title='MacGyver' reboot films at Austell restaurant|date=January 17, 2017|newspaper=[[Marietta Daily Journal]]|access-date=2017-02-22|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Brian Voss]], professional [[Ten-pin bowling|ten-pin bowler]] on the [[PBA Tour]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pba.com/Bowlers/Bowler/9680 |title=Exempt player bios at www.pba.com |publisher=Pba.com |access-date=2012-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614114735/http://www.pba.com/Bowlers/Bowler/9680 |archive-date=2012-06-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{Portal|Georgia (U.S. State)}}
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.kennesaw-ga.gov/ City of Kennesaw] official site
* [http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?sid=10&pid=12813 Municipal Code, Kennesaw, GA]

{{Cobb County, Georgia}}
{{Metro Atlanta}}
{{Georgia (U.S. state)}}
{{Historic Districts in Metro Atlanta}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kennesaw, Georgia| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Cities in Cobb County, Georgia]]
[[Category:Cities in the Atlanta metropolitan area]]